Mohammed Kaif Recalls Hardik Pandya's "Blunder" As He Leaves Mumbai Indians For Punjab Kings

Former India batter Mohammed Kaif believes Hardik Pandya made a mistake by leaving Gujarat Titans (GT) and has urged the all-rounder to focus on rediscovering his form with Punjab Kings (PBKS) following an underwhelming second stint with Mumbai Indians (MI). After days of speculation, the much-discussed trade between MI and PBKS was completed, with Hardik moving to Punjab and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh heading in the opposite direction. Hardik will join PBKS for Rs 18 crore, an increase from his previous salary of Rs 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep will move to MI on his existing deal worth Rs 18 crore. After seven seasons with Mumbai, Hardik joined Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2022 and made an immediate impact, guiding the franchise to the title in its debut season. GT also reached the final in 2023 before he returned to MI in 2024 and took over the captaincy.

Across 162 IPL matches, Hardik has scored 2,955 runs at a strike rate of 146.28 and claimed 82 wickets, highlighting his value as one of the league's premier all-rounders.

However, his second spell with Mumbai proved disappointing. Across three seasons, Hardik managed 647 runs in 39 matches at an average of 21.53 and a strike rate of 147.82, with a highest score of 48 not out. He also picked up 29 wickets at an average of over 34.

Under his captaincy, Mumbai reached the playoffs in IPL 2025, but also finished near the bottom of the table in the 2024 and 2026 seasons.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said Hardik's emotional connection with Mumbai may have influenced his decision to leave Gujarat, where he had established himself as a successful captain and a more mature cricketer.

"It was a blunder by Hardik to leave GT. I think it was an emotional call. He had a connection with MI, and maybe that drew him back. It is always a tough call. You made GT champions and were the king there. But that decision hurt him. He went backwards in his performance and captaincy. It would be better for him to forget the second phase with MI as quickly as possible and move forward," Kaif said.

Hardik enjoyed considerable success as captain of Gujarat Titans. In 31 matches as skipper, he scored 833 runs at an average of 37.86 and a strike rate of 133.49, registering six half-centuries and taking 11 wickets.

Although his batting became more measured with the added responsibility of leadership, he displayed greater maturity and consistency. In his debut GT season, he scored a career-best 487 runs in 15 matches and led the franchise to the title, before guiding them to a runners-up finish the following year.

Kaif believes stepping away from captaincy could ultimately benefit Hardik and allow him to focus solely on his all-round game.

"Many players want captaincy, but not everyone performs well under the pressure that comes with it. It is not everybody's cup of tea, and it is even more difficult in the IPL."

"It will be good for Hardik that he is not the captain. At PBKS, he should focus on regaining his form as a batter, bowler and finisher. There is no doubt that he is a great player. Being an all-rounder and a captain at the same time is even more challenging," he added.

Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh joins MI after spending eight seasons with Punjab Kings, the franchise where he made his IPL debut in 2019 and established himself as one of the tournament's leading left-arm fast bowlers.

With 111 wickets in 96 IPL matches, Arshdeep is Punjab Kings' all-time leading wicket-taker.

Known for his ability to strike early with the new ball and deliver in pressure situations at the death, Arshdeep claimed 21 wickets in IPL 2025 and followed it up with 14 wickets in 2026.

His left-arm angle and versatility across different phases of an innings are expected to significantly strengthen Mumbai Indians' bowling attack.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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